Oral Answers to Questions

Margaret Ferrier Excerpts

Thursday 23rd March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Hollinrake]

It is a great pleasure to do so. I congratulate my hon. Friend on her work. The money that has been invested in Hope Street will contribute to its being a safer, more welcoming place to visit and shop, which in turn will support the local economy. Regenerating streets such as Hope Street is essential to making our high streets and town centres successful, and I congratulate her on the work she does in this regard.

[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

The financial viability of the high street continues to decline as businesses struggle to compete with online shopping, the impact of which will be felt most keenly in local and small to medium-sized businesses. What discussions has the Minister had with the Chancellor about the urgent need for a long-term, local-scale economic plan to support high streets?

[Kevin Hollinrake]

The hon. Lady is right to raise this issue. We have put in place £13.6 billion of business rates support to help businesses over the next few years, but we are also improving access to finance, improving business support through our growth hubs and cutting red tape, making it easier for businesses to start up and scale up in the UK. That work will continue.

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[Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Ind)]

The United Arab Emirates recently warned Ministers against raising concerns about human rights issues in Gulf Co-operation Council countries if we want to negotiate strong trade deals. That goes completely against our trade principles. Can Ministers confirm that they will not be held to ransom and will not sign trade agreements where human rights are a key concern?

[Kemi Badenoch]

In everything we do, we ensure that we continue to promote and assert British values. That includes within the trade agreements that we are signing with all countries.